Golden Son (Red Rising #2) by Pierce Brown

Golden Son is amazing from start to finish.  It is full of action from the first page, and keeps readers on the edges of their seats until the last page.  Darrow, Mustang, Roque, The Jackal, and even Ares are given more depth, more challenges, and more strife (and in some cases, a real face and name). 

The backdrops are richly depicted, the scenes often capable of inducing breathlessness, and the last few chapters might just blow your mind. 

 

There is no sequel slump here. The writing is incredible, the pacing is maginificent, and the characters just keep getting better.  Pierce Brown delivers a fantastic tale, and there is no question of wanting to have the finale now. 

Golden Son by Pierce Brown: Awesome.  Amazing.  Might just ruin you for all other sequels.  Available from booksellers and libraries now!

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand

I received a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. 

Although it raises a few questions that cannot be answered (at least as far is this installment of the story goes), I really liked Imitation. 

The concept of having clones on standby in case of an emergency or medical necessity for important people (think the president or the queen of England) is creepy, and realistic enough to drive the entire plot.  That the clones know this is why they have been created and have been made to study and emulate those they're to possibly replace makes it more frightening. 

There are a few gaps to be found.  For example, we never know if those who are after Raven Rogen are the same people trying to eradicate Ven.  We don't really understand why the people trying to help the imitations escape their life of servitude employ the same tactics as the "bad guys." 

Despite the issues, the story itself was good.  The writing is solid, it flows well, and even though there is the presence of (heaving sigh) an instant love connection, it does promise a riveting sequel. 

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand: 4 out of 5 Stars.  Available from Amazon (Kindle edition) now. 

I Am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff

 This intense story begins with a nameless boy who excels at his job.  He doesn't try to hide how good he is from readers, and he isn't coy about his skills.  He knows what he has to do, and he does it well.

Because of his training, Ben, as the reader comes to know him, keeps his distance from everyone.  There are multiple background characters essential to the progression of the plot, but just when Ben and readers come to predict those people, things change again.  This not only proves Ben's thoughts that no one can be trusted, but it keeps the true events of the book hidden until the last moment.

Almost as succinct as Hemingway in writing style, I Am the Weapon is full of heart-stopping action, devious plans, and will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Darrow, at sixteen, has been working in the mines of Mars for quite a few years.  He has a wife, he has his family, and he has his goal of winning the Laurel.  He's a complex character, allowing the reader into his innermost thoughts, and making us feel as if we want his dreams for him and for us.  Even though his lot in life is small, he makes us proud of who he is and what he's done.That doesn't change throughout the story, even though Darrow's life takes a path I never would have imagined. 

Brown's entire cast is incredible, full of rich characters who practically jump off the page and into life.  They are all stunning examples that not everything is what it seems, and that even the most simple of matters isn't always easy to understand.  The caste system of colors, and layers within those colors, isn't easy to remember, but it does present an excellent view of what life could be like far in the future- and even on other planets.

One thing I would have liked is a pronunciation guide.  Some of the names are almost impossible to imagine actually saying aloud, and sometimes I found it easier to gloss over those names and insert something easier to say.  That's my only wish to make this a better book.  It's amazing how much is packed in to the amount of pages, and I found it hard to put down.

Pierce Brown has built a richly detailed world, and I can't wait for the next installment.